This Year's Project: A Book and A Blanket
About Our Organization
First Presbyterian Church has a banner over the door as people leave worship. It reads, "The worship is over. Let the service begin." Sweet Dreams Bed Ministry is one of the ways we try to be the hands and feet of Jesus in Beatrice. We also maintain a Little Pantry by our church on the corner of 5th and HIgh. We have had a church on this site since March 17, 1869. We invite you to join us on Sunday morning at 10:30 a.m. for worship and then be a part of the service throughout the week.
Current Project: A Book and A Blanket
In the past four years we have provided 50 children with a bed and bedding. We would like to also provide a book and a blanket. Research has shown there are many benefits to reading to children and reading to them before they go to sleep is a wonderful time to do this. And all of us can testify to the wonderful feeling of curling up with a new book and a soft blanket. For a young child that can read it provides a much needed break from technology before they go to sleep.
Whether you're reading a classic novel or fairy tales before bed, reading aloud to children can significantly benefit a child's life. Some benefits of reading to children include
Supportive cognitive development
Improved language skills
Preparation for academic success
Developing a special bond with your child
Increased concentration and discipline
Improved imagination and creativity
Cultivating a lifelong love of reading
Join Sweet Dreams Bed Ministry as we help children with a good night's sleep and a good book!
Sweet Dreams Bed Ministry
Project Details
For years, we have heard about the heartbreak of children going to bed hungry and many of us have responded. The congregation at First Presbyterian Church always assumed that once these children were fed they went to a bed like our children did. Because of personal experiences and from speaking to people at Blue Valley Community Action and others we no longer believe this is the case. Some of these children do not have a bed and some even find themselves sleeping on the floor and because of this we began Sweet Dreams Bed Ministry in 2020.
Each child that is approved receives a new mattress, box springs and frame. In addition, the bed comes with new sheets, a comforter, a new pillow, a mattress pad and a blanket. The first few beds were paid out of the money that was still in the 150th Celebration account and was the congregation’s gift to the community.
Interestingly, a Presbyterian Church in Monroe, Michigan, has been doing this since 2001. The coordinator said he has seen children go to bed at 4:30 in the afternoon because they are so excited about having their own bed.
Applications for beds can be found at Blue Valley Community Action, Community Food Pantry, Mother to Mother Ministry and Salvation Army or on our website, www.presbybeatrice.com.
Since beginning the program we have provided 29 children with their own bed and with your help, we will be able to provide even more children with their own bed.